By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Four Republican candidates for the Illinois General Assembly discussed their campaigns across Chicago’s suburbs during Election Day radio interviews on AM 560 ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
Kate McGrath, a self-employed insurance agent from Deerfield, is challenging incumbent Democratic state Sen. Julie Morrison in the 29th Senate District, which covers Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Glencoe, Northbrook and several other North Shore communities. McGrath said her campaign has found support among Democratic voters. “We are feeling like we are persuading some Democrats our way,” she said. “You have some Republicans that are not happy with Trump. But then you have some that are truly waking up.”
Stephanie Trussell, a small-business owner and the 2022 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, is running for an Illinois House seat covering Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Lisle and part of Naperville. Trussell said Illinois House Democrats have spent heavily on attack ads against her campaign. “I don’t have an exit plan. I have a battle plan,” Trussell said. “I have grandkids here. I have a business here. I’m going to fight for this great state.”
Marty McLaughlin, the Republican incumbent in the 52nd House District since 2021, is seeking a third term representing Barrington, Cary, Libertyville, Algonquin and Fox River Grove. McLaughlin, who previously served as Barrington Hills village president, criticized Springfield spending practices. “In Springfield, 2 plus 2 equals 6,” McLaughlin said. “Somebody’s brother-in-law gets a dollar and a lobbyist, and we all pay the difference.” McLaughlin also said campaign workers for his opponent pursued voters through parking lots at polling locations, prompting Willow Creek Church to remove all electioneering from its campus.
A candidate who identified himself on-air as John Paul, running in a western suburban district stretching from the Naperville area north through Elgin, Bartlett, West Chicago and Batavia, said he spent Election Day walking precincts and visiting polling locations. His surname was not confirmed during the broadcast or in research consulted for this story. John Paul previously worked as a legislative staffer for radio host Jeannie Ives when she served in the Illinois House, a relationship not disclosed during the on-air interview.
All four candidates face Democratic opponents in districts that have drawn increased Republican investment this cycle. Trussell, McLaughlin and John Paul each said their campaigns have been targeted by attack ads tying them to financier Jeffrey Epstein, which they described during the broadcast as false.
Results in the races are expected to be reported Tuesday night as polls close across Illinois.
